West Haven Mayor John Picard to seek re-election

WEST HAVEN -- Democratic Mayor John M. Picard on Thursday announced his intention to run for a fifth term, with state dignitaries offering endorsements and labeling him the right person to continue leading the city.

"I'm here because I care deeply about the city of West Haven, I care about the people, and I continually want to make it better," Picard said at the Savin Rock gazebo before a crowd of around 60 that included U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and state Sen. Toni Harp, D-New Haven, along with Republican North Haven Mayor Michael Freda. Representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., also attended to pledge support.

Picard is the second Democrat to declare intentions to run, with former City Council Chairman Ed O'Brien making a formal announcement last week to seek the nomination. Republican Bart Chadderton has indicated plans to throw his hat into the ring as well.

Party nominating caucus in July will endorse candidates for all offices.

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Upon being elected, Picard encountered around $300 million in debt, unhealthy bonding habits and poor relationships with city stakeholders, he said. Bayer Healthcare was also leaving.

Since then, he's built and leveraged relationships with Bayer, the University of New Haven, Yale University and the state to benefit the city and bring in funding for projects, such as the future arts center and bulkhead, Picard said. Yale West opened at the old Bayer site, UNH has expanded and brings the city $5.3 million in payment-in-lieu-of-tax revenue, and $100 million toward debt has been paid.

The city has also moved away from pension plans. Many things during his terms have "changed for the better," he said before his two young daughters joined him briefly at the podium.

Picard noted streetscape efforts on Front and Campbell avenues, less expensive City Hall improvements than initially planned, and a future Water Street development. Still, the city can keep improving, he said.

"We work extremely hard, we're not perfect, and we've made some mistakes, but our mistakes are always with the right intentions without question," Picard said. "And I think we've done a great job of ending some of the political things that used to happen in the past."

Blumenthal said Picard is an honest mayor who accomplishes what he says he's going to do, and listens to what others have to say. He called him "one of the best mayors in the state."

O'Brien said Friday Picard has listed the same plans for the city in past election cycles.

"It's a rerun of an old movie where we know the ending. Every two years, he stands up and talks about the same things and the same projects. It's always the arts center, Water Street," O'Brien said.

Chadderton said he looks forward to challenging Picard. He added that the bulkhead area remains empty, worries how a new high school will impact city finances, and questioned the timing of the streetscape work.

"It's an election year and we see this every few years -- a cleanup when bigger issues are being left undone," he said.